WEBVTT
SHELTON JOINS
US WITH MORE.
>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE
DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY HERE
ON
THIS STRETCH OF TH
LOOKING AT THIS AS A POSSIBLE
FUTURE HOME.
>> THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HAS
SERENADED AUDIENCES.
THE RENOVATED STAGE IS WHERE THE
PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR WANTS THEM TO PERFORM.
>> IT IS GROWING UP AND
CONTROLLING YOUR OWN DESTINY.
>> THEY ALL PERFORMED AT THE
MARKETS.
>> THEY HAVE A DEDICATED CONCERT
HALL AND YOU HAVE A ROOM TO DO
ALL OF THAT.
THAT IS HARD.
>> THE CRUISE WILL HAV
TO
RESTORE AND RENOVATE IT FOR THE
ORCHESTRA.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE.
WE ARE
BRINGING MORE BUSINESS IN
VITALITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> I REACHED OUT ABOUT THE MOVE
AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO
ME YET.
IT WIL COST
$120 MILLION.
PATRICK, HE WOULD NOT TELL ME
WH SOME OF THESE ARE.
WE ARE LIVE DOWNTOWN.
>>
AS HE MENTIONED, THIS WAS
ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME
THEATER AND WHAT IT COULD LOOK
LIKE.
THE PLANTS INCLUDE OFFICE
SPACE
AND A MARKETPLACE.

For more than 40 years, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has serenaded audiences at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, but it could join the potential renaissance taking shape in another part of downtown.

MSO President and CEO Mark Niehaus said he hopes to move into the vacant Grand Theatre on Wisconsin Avenue.

Advertisement

"There's nothing wrong with the Marcus Center. It's kind of like growing up and moving out and having your own place and controlling your own destiny," Niehaus said.

The MSO, the Opera, Ballet and visiting Broadway shows all perform at the Marcus.

"'Most cities our size have a dedicated theater and a dedicated concert hall,” Niehaus said, “We're asking one room to do all of that, and that's hard.”

The Grand Theatre on Wisconsin Avenue has been vacant for more than two decades. Crews will have to restore and renovate it to meet MSO’s needs.

"We've done a really good job in this town of keeping some of our treasures with us and maintaining them this is another example of that not to mention what it'll do for West Wisconsin Avenue for that neighborhood and bringing more business and vitality to that neighborhood," Niehaus said.

Grand Avenue Mall is across the street from the theater.

New owners purchased the mall last December with plans that included office space, a grocery store and an urban market place. Construction was expected to begin in 2017.

Niehaus said they’re more than halfway to their fundraising goal of $120 million, however, he would not comment on who has made big donations so far.

“"People do thoughtful things and they're thoughtful people and I'm thoughtful about their identities,” he added.

The Marcus Performing Arts Center did not return our request for comment.